Constraints

Using Drawing Constraints

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Constraint_Panel 

After sketching the geometry of a problem, constrain it with measurements, coordinates and implicit equations in real or symbolic terms. The drawing responds automatically to the assigned input constraints. Geometry Expressions will automatically add any constraints you leave out.

Since annotations may look identical to constraints, use the icon, distinguish , to Distinguish Constraints / Annotations. The icon is a toggle; to turn off the marks, click it again.

Initially, all the constraints in the toolbox are inactive. You must first select the parts for your drawing that will be constrained. Constraint choices are listed below along with the drawing elements that must be preselected. Be careful when selecting geometry objects, if extra things are selected that are not related to the constraint (like other constraints) the constraints will remain inactive. This can happen by mistake, especially when using the selection box tool.

 

Constraint

Preselected Objects

ebd_Ebd58 

Distance / Length

Two of any combination of points, lines, line segments, vectors, or polygon sides.

ebd_Ebd59 

Radius

A circle

ebd_Ebd60 

Perpendicular

Two of any lines, segments, vectors, or polygon sides.

ebd_Ebd61 

Angle

Two of any lines, segments, vectors, or polygon sides.

ebd_Ebd62 

Direction

A line, segment, vector, or polygon side.

ebd_Ebd63 

Slope

A line, segment, vector, or polygon side.

ebd_Ebd64 

Coordinate

A point

ebd_Ebd65 

Coefficients

A vector

ebd_Ebd66 

Tangent

A circle or locus and a line, segment, vector, or polygon side.

ebd_Ebd67 

Incident

A point and a line, segment, vector, polygon side, circle or locus.

ebd_Ebd68 

Congruent

Two or three of any line segment, vector, or polygon side.

ebd_Ebd69 

Parallel

Two or three of any line segment, vector, or polygon side.

ebd_Ebd70 

Implicit Equation

A circle, line, segment, vector, or polygon side.

ebd_Ebd71 

Point Proportional Along Curve

A point and a line, segment, vector, polygon side, or locus

Occasionally you may try to add too many constraints to the geometry, causing a conflict. The system will help you correct this problem in the Resolve Constraint Conflict dialog.